Enhanced Care of Older People (EnCOP) Competency Framework

Health and social care staff from a wide range of professions and organisations are involved in the care of older people with complex needs.  In order to ensure seamless, quality care for this population, it is essential that the whole workforce is highly competent and appropriately skilled.

One way of doing this is through the use of a competency framework and the NENC Ageing Well Network was successful in its bid to the ICS Workforce Transformation and Sustainability Board to progress its workforce initiative relating to the use of a such a framework specific to the needs of older people.

Building on previous work led by Northumbria University and others in the region over recent years the Enhanced Care of Older People (EnCOP) Competency Framework was developed.  Specific to the needs of the older population, the Competency Framework provides a standardised and integrated approach to workforce development across the whole care system  from those providing essential care to specialist and advanced level practice.

Funding received allows for implementation of the framework across many disciplines and organisations while secured research funding will see a robust evaluation of its implementation and impact on patient and staff outcomes.